Rakshasa (fiction)
Encyclopedia
The term Rakshasa
, originally referring to a demon in Hindu mythology
, has been used in western literature and culture. The following are some examples:
's novel Lord of Light
the Rakshasa, there spelled "Rakasha", are a type of extraterrestrial
beings consisting of "stable fields of energy". They were present before the arrival of humans on the planet of the novel, and apparently native to it.
The Rakasha were supposedly once material beings, but long ago used unspecified technology to move their atman
into energy fields. This gave them immortality
, but "born of matter they do ever lust after the flesh" (p. 32). Although it might seem rather foolish of the Rakasha to use highly advanced technology to abandon bodies and then find that they preferred having flesh after all, they have the power to sometimes possess
human bodies. Because a mortal who inhabits a body dies with it, unless he transfers his atman into an unused body, while a Rakasha can survive the destruction of its resident body, the Rakasha's choice does give them advantages that not making it would have lacked.
Their natural shape is that of a glowing flame, although they can briefly take nearly any shape they choose to. In their normal shape they are capable of flying, seeing in all directions and surviving most attacks by material weapons (although some compounds can repel them). When inhabiting a human body, they lose the power to fly for unlimited distances and (presumably, as they never do so) to change shape, but gain the ability to enjoy alcohol, good food, and sex.
They seem more amoral
than intentionally evil
, normally lacking conscience
s. One of their preferred pastimes is gambling
, and gambling debts are the only promises that they can be relied upon to keep. Gambling with Rakasha can lead either to death or great power, as the Rakasha can give powerful gifts but have little desire for other material things than the body of their fellow gambler.
The Rakasha seem to have no clear hierarchy
, although they are led by a very old and powerful Rakasha called Taraka
. They also control several kinds of lesser energy beings, the only kind explicitly named being the "fire elementals" (note that these resemble mobile thunderbolts more than classical, western fire elemental
s).
The song "Circle of Cysquatch" by progressive Metal band Mastodon makes reference to Rakshasa. Also Miku Hastunes song "Hold, Release, Rakshasa and corpses". Rakshasa is included in the title
Rakshasa
A Rakshasa or alternatively rakshas, is a race of mythological humanoid beings or unrighteous spirit in Hindu and Buddhist religion...
, originally referring to a demon in Hindu mythology
Hindu mythology
Hindu religious literature is the large body of traditional narratives related to Hinduism, notably as contained in Sanskrit literature, such as the Sanskrit epics and the Puranas. As such, it is a subset of Nepali and Indian culture...
, has been used in western literature and culture. The following are some examples:
In Lord of Light
In Roger ZelaznyRoger Zelazny
Roger Joseph Zelazny was an American writer of fantasy and science fiction short stories and novels, best known for his The Chronicles of Amber series...
's novel Lord of Light
Lord of Light
Lord of Light is an epic science fiction/fantasy novel by American author Roger Zelazny. It was awarded the 1968 Hugo Award for Best Novel, and nominated for a Nebula Award in the same category. Two chapters from the novel were published as novelettes in the Magazine of Fantasy and Science...
the Rakshasa, there spelled "Rakasha", are a type of extraterrestrial
Extraterrestrial life in popular culture
In popular cultures, "extraterrestrials" are life forms — especially intelligent life forms— that are of extraterrestrial origin .-Historical ideas:-Pre-modern:...
beings consisting of "stable fields of energy". They were present before the arrival of humans on the planet of the novel, and apparently native to it.
The Rakasha were supposedly once material beings, but long ago used unspecified technology to move their atman
Atman (Hinduism)
Ātman is a Sanskrit word that means 'self'. In Hindu philosophy, especially in the Vedanta school of Hinduism it refers to one's true self beyond identification with phenomena...
into energy fields. This gave them immortality
Immortality
Immortality is the ability to live forever. It is unknown whether human physical immortality is an achievable condition. Biological forms have inherent limitations which may or may not be able to be overcome through medical interventions or engineering...
, but "born of matter they do ever lust after the flesh" (p. 32). Although it might seem rather foolish of the Rakasha to use highly advanced technology to abandon bodies and then find that they preferred having flesh after all, they have the power to sometimes possess
Demonic possession
Demonic possession is held by many belief systems to be the control of an individual by a malevolent supernatural being. Descriptions of demonic possessions often include erased memories or personalities, convulsions, “fits” and fainting as if one were dying...
human bodies. Because a mortal who inhabits a body dies with it, unless he transfers his atman into an unused body, while a Rakasha can survive the destruction of its resident body, the Rakasha's choice does give them advantages that not making it would have lacked.
Their natural shape is that of a glowing flame, although they can briefly take nearly any shape they choose to. In their normal shape they are capable of flying, seeing in all directions and surviving most attacks by material weapons (although some compounds can repel them). When inhabiting a human body, they lose the power to fly for unlimited distances and (presumably, as they never do so) to change shape, but gain the ability to enjoy alcohol, good food, and sex.
They seem more amoral
Amorality
Amorality is an absence of, indifference towards, or disregard for moral beliefs. Any entity that is not sentient may be considered amoral. In addition, it can be argued that sentient but non-human creatures, like dogs, have no concept of morality and are therefore amoral...
than intentionally evil
Evil
Evil is the violation of, or intent to violate, some moral code. Evil is usually seen as the dualistic opposite of good. Definitions of evil vary along with analysis of its root motive causes, however general actions commonly considered evil include: conscious and deliberate wrongdoing,...
, normally lacking conscience
Conscience
Conscience is an aptitude, faculty, intuition or judgment of the intellect that distinguishes right from wrong. Moral judgement may derive from values or norms...
s. One of their preferred pastimes is gambling
Gambling
Gambling is the wagering of money or something of material value on an event with an uncertain outcome with the primary intent of winning additional money and/or material goods...
, and gambling debts are the only promises that they can be relied upon to keep. Gambling with Rakasha can lead either to death or great power, as the Rakasha can give powerful gifts but have little desire for other material things than the body of their fellow gambler.
The Rakasha seem to have no clear hierarchy
Hierarchy
A hierarchy is an arrangement of items in which the items are represented as being "above," "below," or "at the same level as" one another...
, although they are led by a very old and powerful Rakasha called Taraka
Taraka
' was the second wife of Hindu God Brihaspati, God of planet Jupiter. According to the Puranas, Tara sired or mothered child named Budha through Chandra ....
. They also control several kinds of lesser energy beings, the only kind explicitly named being the "fire elementals" (note that these resemble mobile thunderbolts more than classical, western fire elemental
Elemental
An elemental is a mythological being first appearing in the alchemical works of Paracelsus in the 16th century. Traditionally, there are four types:*gnomes, earth elementals*undines , water elementals*sylphs, air elementals...
s).
Books and comics
- In Journey to the West, a famous Chinese novel, one of the antagonists is named 'Lady Raksha'
- In the mangaMangaManga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
BerserkBerserk (manga)is a manga series written and illustrated by Kentaro Miura. Set in a medieval Europe-inspired world, the story centers around the characters of Guts, an orphaned mercenary, and Griffith, the leader of a mercenary band called the...
, Rakshas is name of one of Griffith's apostle lieutenants in the new Band of the Hawk. He always wears a cloak and a three-eyed mask. - In the mangaMangaManga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
Fist of the North StarFist of the North Staris a Japanese manga series written by Buronson and drawn by Tetsuo Hara that was serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1983 to 1988, spanning 245 chapters, which were initially collected in a 27-volume tankōbon edition by Shueisha...
, the character Shachi is referred to as "Rakshasa, the AsuraAsura-In Hinduism:In Hinduism, the Asuras constitute a group of power-seeking deities, sometimes considered sinful and materialistic. The Daityas and Danavas were combinedly known as Asuras. The Asura were opposed to the Devas. Both groups are children of Kasyapa...
-devouring beast". - In the FantasyFantasyFantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
novel Song in the Silence, by Elizabeth Kerner, the demons are referred to as rakshasa by their dragon enemies. - In the Children of the Lamp novels by P.B. Kerr, the elder djinn of the Marid tribe is named Mr. Rakshasas.
- In the Gold Digger comic series, the character Genn is a member of the Rakshasa race, which is a genderless race of shapeshifters who feed on the ethereal energy of other beings for sustenance.
- In F. Paul WilsonF. Paul WilsonFrancis Paul Wilson is an American author, primarily in the science fiction and horror genres. His debut novel was Healer . Wilson is also a part-time practicing family physician. He made his first sales in 1970 to Analog while still in medical school , and continued to write science fiction...
's novel The TombThe Tomb (novel)The Tomb is the first volume in a series of Repairman Jack books written by American author F. Paul Wilson. It is also the second volume in a series of six novels known as The Adversary Cycle. It was recently updated for 2004, in order to tie in chronologically with the following Repairman Jack...
, hero Repairman JackRepairman JackThis series of novels uses realistic, thriller-like situations to tell a story with a broad supernatural theme. It is technically a spin-off branch of the aforementioned larger, overarching supernatural horror series, The Adversary Cycle.- Introduction :...
confronts a Bhagavad Gita-studying foe who commands a pack of demonic Rakosh (Rakoshi, plural). While the name of the creatures is not an exact match for Rakshasa, the correspondence of origin, name, and demonic character is clear. - A group of rakshasas makes a brief appearance in Neil GaimanNeil GaimanNeil Richard Gaiman born 10 November 1960)is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre and films. His notable works include the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book...
's novel American GodsAmerican GodsAmerican Gods is a Hugo and Nebula Award-winning novel by Neil Gaiman. The novel is a blend of Americana, fantasy, and various strands of ancient and modern mythology, all centering on a mysterious and taciturn protagonist, Shadow. It is Gaiman's fourth prose novel, being preceded by Good Omens ,...
. - A Rakshasa turns out to be the primary villain in The Iron Ring, a fantasy book by Lloyd AlexanderLloyd AlexanderLloyd Chudley Alexander was a widely influential American author of more than forty books, mostly fantasy novels for children and adolescents, as well as several adult books...
. - In Chaos Comics, Rakshasa is the girlfriend of gorgeous lesbian vampiress, PurgatoriPurgatoriPurgatori is a fictional comic book character, created by writer Brian Pulido and artist Steven Hughes. A crimson-skinned, winged vampire goddess, she first appeared in Lady Death #3 , published by Chaos! Comics...
. Rak was the child of demon rape, when her English missionary mother was attacked by a Rakshasa demon. - Rakshasa is the name of a novel by Max Overton. The story follows the existence of the demon over a 5000 year period as it interacts with humans in the Uttarakhand region of northern India.
- Rakshasa is the name of one of the three Loki accidentally released by Tiger in Sword-Singer by Jennifer RobersonJennifer RobersonJennifer Mitchell Roberson is an author of fantasy and historical literature.Roberson has lived in Arizona since 1957. She grew up in Phoenix, but in 1999 relocated to Flagstaff. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in journalism from Northern Arizona University in 1982 as an adult student...
. - Rakshasa feature in the origial novel Resurrecting Ravana based on the Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV series.
- In The Last VampireThe Last VampireThe Last Vampire series consists of books written by Christopher Pike and chronicles the life of the 5,000 year old "last vampire", Sita. A seventh book, The Eternal Dawn was released in late 2010.-The Last Vampire :...
, a Rakshasa is briefly mentioned as the cause of a plague that ravages Sita's village, and the priest that comes to this conclusion attempts to summon a YakshiniYakshiniYakshinis are mythical beings of Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain mythology.-Description:A yakshini is the female counterpart of the male yaksha, and they both attend on Kubera , the Hindu god of wealth who rules in the mythical Himalayan kingdom of Alaka. They both look after treasure hidden in the...
to destroy the Rakshasa, setting the story in motion. - Rakshases have a major role in the Game World Trilogy by Samit BasuSamit BasuSamit Basu is the author of five novels: The Simoqin Prophecies, The Manticore's Secret and The Unwaba Revelations, the three parts of The GameWorld Trilogy, a fantasy trilogy published by Penguin Books, India, Terror on the Titanic a YA novel published by Scholastic India, and Turbulence, a...
. The trilogy includes The Simoqin PropheciesThe Simoqin PropheciesThe Simoqin Prophecies is a fantasy novel in English written by Indian author Samit Basu, and is the first novel in the GameWorld trilogy...
, The Manticore's SecretThe Manticore's SecretThe Manticore's Secret is the second novel in Indian fantasy author Samit Basu's GameWorld trilogy.-Heroes and characters:* Myrdak, of the house of Aegos, a ravian warrior....
and The Unwaba Revelations. Here the rakshases are magical creatures, know plenty of magic themselves, see humans as snacks, are efficient shape-shifters and have a country of their own, called Imokoi. Their chief, a combination of Harry Potter's Voldemort and the Ramayan's Ravan, is known as the Dark Lord.
Video games
- In the Exile and Avernum seriesAvernum seriesAvernum is a series of computer role-playing demoware video games by Jeff Vogel of Spiderweb Software available for Macintosh and Windows-based computers. There are six canonical games in the series. The first three games in the series are remakes of the Exile series by Jeff Vogel, who owns the...
series of games, Rakshasas are magic-casting tiger lookalikes; they're one of the nastier adversaries in the later stages of the game. - In Linley's Dungeon CrawlLinley's Dungeon CrawlLinley's Dungeon Crawl is a roguelike computer game originally programmed by Linley Henzell in 1995, and first released to the general public on October 1, 1997. Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup, a branch of Dungeon Crawl currently in development, is one of the most popular roguelikes being played today...
roguelike game, the Rakshasa is a type of monster found in the main dungeon levels, and able to create illusionary copies of itself. - In the video game FreeSpace 2FreeSpace 2FreeSpace 2 is a 1999 space combat simulation computer game developed by Volition, Inc. as the sequel to Descent: FreeSpace – The Great War. It was completed ahead of schedule in less than a year, and released to great critical acclaim...
the Rakshasa is a class of enemy Shivan cruiser. - In the MMORPGMMORPGMassively multiplayer online role-playing game is a genre of role-playing video games in which a very large number of players interact with one another within a virtual game world....
Tantra Online, Rakshasa is a character class resembling a female assassinAssassinationTo carry out an assassination is "to murder by a sudden and/or secret attack, often for political reasons." Alternatively, assassination may be defined as "the act of deliberately killing someone, especially a public figure, usually for hire or for political reasons."An assassination may be...
. - In the game Final Fantasy (packaged with Final Fantasy II and released as Final Fantasy Origins by Square for PlayStation), there is a tiger-headed creature called a Rakshasa which is a tough spellcaster. This name has been retained in the Game Boy Advance (Dawn of Souls) and PlayStation Portable (20th Anniversary) releases. In the original Final Fantasy for the Nintendo Entertainment System, this was shortened to "Mancat" due to the constraints of the 8-bit machine.
- In Final Fantasy XIIFinal Fantasy XIIis a console role-playing video game developed and published by Square Enix for the PlayStation 2. Released in 2006, it is the twelfth title in the Final Fantasy series and the last in the series to be released exclusively on the PlayStation platform...
, many inhabitants of the sky-city Bhujerba call the monsters from the nearby mines Raksas, derived from Rakshasas. - Rakhasas are also creatures of the Haunt class in the RPG Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne by AtlusAtlusis a Japanese computer and video game developer, publisher, and distributor based in Tokyo, Japan, best known for developing the console role-playing game franchise Megami Tensei. The first Megami Tensei was a Nintendo Entertainment System video game published by Namco based on a trilogy of...
. - In the turn-based strategyTurn-based strategyA turn-based strategy game is a strategy game where players take turns when playing...
game Heroes of Might and Magic VHeroes of Might and Magic VHeroes of Might and Magic V is the fifth installment of the Heroes of Might and Magic turn-based strategy video game series. It was developed by Nival Interactive, under the guidance of franchise-owner Ubisoft...
, the Rakshasa Rani is a powerful melee unit in the Academy faction. It is humanoid in appearance, but has the head of a tiger and blue skin, with glowing lower arms and legs. The upgraded units, Rakshasa Raja and Rakshasa Kshatra, have the head of a lion and four arms. The Rakshasa are supposed to be vengeful spirits whom the wizards have learned to control.
Role-playing games
- RakshasaRakshasa (Dungeons & Dragons)In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, a rakshasa is a type of evil outsider that is now native to the Material Plane. They are powerful sorcerers and, although they disdain physical fighting as ignoble, can be dangerous in close combat as well.-Dungeons & Dragons :The rakshasa first...
have long been a race of villains in the Dungeons & DragonsDungeons & DragonsDungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
role-playing game. They appear as animal-headed humanoids (generally with tiger or monkey heads) with their hands inverted (palms of its hands are where the backs of the hands would be on a human). They are masters of necromancy, enchantment, and illusion (which they mostly use to disguise themselves) and are very hard to kill. - The Palladium RPG has Rakshasas as a race of Demons, but here, it is spelled "Raksasha".
- In the White Wolf game ExaltedExaltedExalted is a role-playing game published by White Wolf Publishing. The game is classified as high fantasy, but may be more accurately described as "mythic fantasy", as the developer specifically avoided drawing on J. R. R. Tolkien, but rather turned to a mixture of world mythologies for inspiration...
, the raksha is the name by which the Fair Folk refer to themselves as a race. - In the new World of DarknessWorld of Darkness"World of Darkness" is the name given to three related but distinct fictional universes created as settings for supernatural horror themed role-playing games. It is also the name of roleplaying games in the second and third settings...
game, Vampire: the RequiemVampire: The RequiemVampire: The Requiem is a role-playing game published by White Wolf, set in the World of Darkness, and the successor to the Vampire: The Masquerade line. It was first released in August 2004, together with a new core rule book for the World of Darkness...
, the Rakshasa are a bloodline of the Nosferatu.
Movies and television
- Although not particularly common in Western fiction, the short-lived 1974 television series Kolchak: The Night StalkerKolchak: The Night StalkerKolchak: The Night Stalker is an American television series that aired on ABC during the 1974-1975 season. It featured a fictional Chicago newspaper reporter — Carl Kolchak, played by Darren McGavin — who investigates mysterious crimes with unlikely causes, particularly ones law...
(which influenced The X-FilesThe X-FilesThe X-Files is an American science fiction television series and a part of The X-Files franchise, created by screenwriter Chris Carter. The program originally aired from to . The show was a hit for the Fox network, and its characters and slogans became popular culture touchstones in the 1990s...
) has an episode (Horror in the Heights) featuring a Rakshasa which - like its Dungeons & Dragons counterpart - is vulnerable to blessed crossbow bolts. - Was referenced in the Outer LimitsThe Outer Limits (1995 TV series)The Outer Limits is an American television series that originally aired on Showtime,the Sci Fi Channel and in syndication between 1995 and 2002...
episode, "Under the Bed" an episode about child stealing myths(boogeymen). Also mentioned were Baba YagaBaba YagaBaba Yaga or Baba Roga is a haggish or witchlike character in Slavic folklore. She flies around on a giant pestle, kidnaps small children, and lives in a hut that stands on chicken legs...
, Norse Trolls, JinnJinnJinn are supernatural beings in Arab folklore and Islamic teachings.Jinn may also refer to:* Jinn , a Japanese band* Qui-Gon Jinn, a character in the Star Wars universe...
, and the American Boogeyman. - A Rakshasa was featured in the SupernaturalSupernatural (TV series)Supernatural is an American supernatural and horror television series created by Eric Kripke, which debuted on September 13, 2005 on The WB, and is now part of The CW's lineup. Starring Jared Padalecki as Sam Winchester and Jensen Ackles as Dean Winchester, the series follows the brothers as they...
episode "Everybody Loves a Clown." - In the Doctor WhoDoctor WhoDoctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a time-travelling humanoid alien known as the Doctor who explores the universe in a sentient time machine called the TARDIS that flies through time and space, whose exterior...
Virgin New AdventuresVirgin New AdventuresThe Virgin New Adventures were a series of novels from Virgin Publishing based on the British science-fiction television series Doctor Who...
novel All-Consuming FireAll-Consuming FireAll-Consuming Fire is an original novel written by Andy Lane and based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. The novel is a crossover with Arthur Conan Doyle's fictional detective Sherlock Holmes featuring the characters of both Holmes and Doctor Watson, and also...
, an alien menace turns its slaves into monstrous beings, which are referred to as Rakshasas.
The song "Circle of Cysquatch" by progressive Metal band Mastodon makes reference to Rakshasa. Also Miku Hastunes song "Hold, Release, Rakshasa and corpses". Rakshasa is included in the title